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Catios on the tour: Dayspring

Catio used by: Coco, Bub, Missy and Izzy
Built by: homeowner
This catio has been through a LOT of redesigns. First they built a window box just to see if the cats would use it; it proved so popular they built a bigger catio that worked but was quite low to the ground so it was hard to get into (from a human perspective!). The third redesign seems to be the cats’ meow.

“We are the parents of 4 cats who all came to us through rescue in one way or another. They mostly are afraid of loud noises and strangers etc but are very curious. None go outside unless they are on a harness and a leash. We are always looking for ways to stimulate them. We decided to build a window box which was a great hit but could only handle 2 cats so the following year we extended it to the ground and added beds, plants, kitty litter pans filled with cat grass which they love, box filled with straw etc. It is located close to trees and our bird feeder so they love to watch the birds and squirrels. We waterproof it in early winter so they can use it all 4 seasons now. There’s a line up in the morning like Tim Hortons waiting for the window to open so they can go into the catio!”

Catios on the tour: Bridgewater 1

Catio used by: Finny, Shadow, Cookie, Birdie and Remi
Built by: contractor and then homeowner and then a handyman helped with some additions
There are two catios: a medium-sized one with a tower and a short tunnel and a much smaller window box catio that is completely separate and out of sight from the main catio.

“The main catio was built in 2021, and over the years I’ve expanded it with a tunnel, a tower, a punch-outside box and a separate window box catio. It’s home to five rescue cats — including two who really don’t like each other — so there are two entrances to make sure everyone can enjoy the space.

From about April through November, the cats have 24/7 access to their catio, where they can birdwatch, sunbathe, and safely enjoy the fresh air. In winter, one of my cats insists on going out every morning and can usually be found sleeping inside an insulated bouse.”

Catios on the tour: Conquerall Mills

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If you went on the Catio Tour last August, you may remember Kari & Neville’s catio in Conquerall Mills. They are building catios again this year. Their website is Custom Catios Co.

“We are Neville and Kari.

At our house we have 10 amazing cats, and while that may seem like a lot, they are so distinct in personality and general behaviour, it rarely seems like very many at all. It didn’t start with 10 however, Neville had zero cats in his life until he started dating Kari. We moved in together with only 3, (Jellybean, Larry, and Allan). 3 turned into 4 (Ricky), 4 to 5 (Russell), 5 to 6 (Frankie), then simultaneously 7 and 8 (Archie and Chester) and then 9 (Ivy). Then we suddenly lost Ricky to an unknown heart condition. Only to be followed by 2 more rescues within a year (Margo and Phoebe) and that makes 10. All are rescues and have great stories behind how we found them or they found us.

Neville built this (second one ) about a year ago when we bought my (Kari’s) grandparents home. We will always be adding things and over the next few years including a new back deck with a tunnel from current catio around the new deck to another small catio section.”

How much does a catio cost?

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It is hard to give an answer to this as each catio is so different. They can run from $100 to $3000.

The cost will depend on these factors:

Are you building it or will you be hiring someone to build it?

How big is your new catio going to be? A window box is obviously going to cost you less than a 6×8 catio.

Tips for saving money

Start small. Add on as you have more resources. If your cat(s) have no catio now, they will love a window box. They are relatively cheap and easy to build, using spruce 2x2s and 1x3s, some pet screen and a bit of paint. You can find a plan at Catio Spaces.

Use recycled materials. One person in Middlewood got a free rabbit house from a friend and was able to attach it to a window. Half-rolls of hardware cloth can often be found on Facebook Marketplace. Sometimes you can even find a used catio!

Buy a pre-built unit

If you have some way to move it, used catios do pop up on Facebook Marketplace.

You can find catios on Aosom, Amazon, Temu, Wayfair, Walmart, etc. They are not very suited to Nova Scotia winters but they will do for a few years until you have more money.

Have a professional build the frame and you do the rest

When I was building mine, I hired a carpenter to build the frame and roof on my catio just to make sure it was sturdy. Then I added shelves and platforms inside myself and later added a tunnel.

Where can I find ideas for my catio?

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We have tons of photos of catios of varying sizes and costs posted on the South Shore Catios page which are sure to give you ideas and you can always ask a question. The advantage of our page is that all the catios are located in Nova Scotia. We know about the bugs and the snow. The catios are built to withstand the weather. And of course we have the Annual South Shore Catio Tour every year in late August where you can see catios “up close and personal”.

There are several Facebook groups for catio inspiration: just search for “catios”. Most are international and it can be fun to see what’s happening globally.

YouTube has some super catio tours. I found these ones particularly helpful when I was planning my catio and now when I am always thinking of ways to make it better for the cats:

Chirpy Cats is based in Canada (Quebec?) and has a website and a YouTube channel.
Catio Spaces sells DIY catio plans and shows a variety of videos of how their plans look when built. This is where I got my window box plan from (very easy to build!) and I modified another plan to better suit the Nova Scotia climate. Catio Spaces was one of the first to sell plans and to actively promote catios in North America.

Our Catio Home is based in the U.S. and has the biggest catio I have ever seen. They started small and kept adding on. She has detailed instruction videos on making stairs and tunnels, among other things.

Catio Living is also American and has a patio filled with plants, shelves, an outdoor litter box, cameras and a disco ball.

You can also find ideas on TikTok, Pinterest and Reddit. There are plans for sale on Etsy.

Catios are becomingly more and more popular so it is getting much easier to find information.

Why build a catio?

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Cat-lovers have a variety of reasons for building their cats a catio.

To keep them safe
Every week there are dozens of posts on Facebook about missing indoor/outdoor cats who wander off or get spooked by a noise. A catio allows cats to be outside and keeps them safe at the same time. Cat owners know that most kitties love to explore outside. But allowing cats out on their own can be dangerous. A catio keeps cats away from moving cars, toxic substances, vicious animals, and loose dogs.
To enrich their lives
“A cat’s natural behaviours include hunting and chasing, which many domestic felines don’t have the opportunity to do when cooped up in their homes. This lack of activity may result in boredom, which experts say can lead to more serious health issues.”
Source: Why ‘catios’ are great for your cat’s well-being — and how to build one your pet will love

A catio encourages jumping, balancing, and climbing on safe perches instead of being lazy or destructive indoors. Cats can feel the sunshine and the breeze.
To keep birds and other wildlife safe
Catios provide the space and visual stimulation needed for cats to tap into their apex-predator instincts without getting lost or harming the environment, such as killing birds and other small animals.